Machine name

[Walter]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know how to retrieve the machine name on a user pc?

Thanks
Walter

[Keith Regan]

RE: Machine name

Walter,
Start, Control Panel, System, Computer Name.

HTH

Keith

[JerryBrightbill]

RE: Machine name

Walter

api_getmachinename() returns the computer name

api_getusername() returns the user name

Jerry

[PhilD]

RE: Machine name

Jerry,

using api_getusername() my win xp home machine returns "Owner". I have looked and looked but can not figure out how to change this to my name. Under User Accounts I am set up as Phil DeGruy and administrator (only apparent otion)and guest account is disabled. Logon screen, I log on with my name and a password. Any idea where windows is hiding this "owner" name? How to change it?

Becomes a problem for example if I make/add a note to an pdf file and owner shows as person who made the note.

I could also use this in Alpha if I can get it changed to my name.

Thanks,

Phil

[JerryBrightbill]

RE: Machine name

Phil

The name returned by getmachinename is the name that would show for the computer when it is on a network. You can get to this name by opening the Windows Control Panel, select System, and click on the Computer Name tab. There should be a button marked "Change" which will allow you to change the computer name. The computer name is different that the user name, which is the name of the person logged on.

Jerry

[Al Buchholz]

RE: Machine name

Phil

Here is what I see with XP Pro.

Maybe Home is different.

[PhilD]

RE: Machine name

Well home must suck. This is what I have under the control panel, system, computer name, and computer name changes.

Like I said I have not figured out where to change this "Owner" that is returned.

Thanks,

Phil

[Finian Lennon]

RE: Machine name

Phil:

The jpg you sent shows the value that will be returned by api_getMACHINEname, i.e. HP_Phil.

The "owner" you are referring to us the USER name returned by api_getUSERname. I have XP Pro so I can't check the menus but I think that XP Home does have an icon for "User Accounts" in the Control Panel. That is where you would change "owner" to "Phil" or whatever.

F.

[JerryBrightbill]

RE: Machine name

Phil

When you sign on to your computer, you sign on under some name. That is the naem returned by api_getusername(). For example, I sigh on under "Jerry" and get this in the interactive window

?api_getusername()
= "Jerry"

To change this name, go back to the Windows Control Panel and select "User Accounts" Select "Change an account" Select the account you want to change and one of the options is "Change name" Attached is a screenshot from my computer that is running XP home.

Jerry

[PhilD]

RE: Machine name



See, that is the problem. I sign on under Phil with a password. Windows has for some reason that is Not visible anywhere that I can find, decided my name is "Owner" no matter what I change my name to and no matter where I change it. The jpg I posted is from the control pannel, system, computer name, and change computer name.

The user accounts list 1 account "Phil DeGruy" and I am the admin. which is the only option under XP home. There is a "Guest" account that is Off (not active). I tried changing my name to Claude with admin rights but that didn't do anything either.

There was a real vague reference to something simular on the MS knowlege base, suggested to enter safe mode and see if it was there and change password. Likely I am hust stuck with "Owner for a name rather than Phil

Most of the bugs (problems) in the knowlege base are by design according to M$.

Thanks,

Phil

[Keith Regan]

RE: Machine name

Phil,
Create another user on your notebook called "Phil", log on with this account name and see what that returns.

I have a feeling that XP Home with just the one user who loads the machine (initial software load) reports "owner" as the user. I think if you setup a secnd user then the second user name will be returned.

Keith (the other one)

[PhilD]

RE: Machine name

Keith (the other one):)

Ok that hit the nail on it's head. I created another user also as admin. and loged on. Alpha and the other programs that said "Owner" now report "Phil" as user. However, most of my installed software now wants license keys, etc. so I would have to spend about a week figuring out what wants what and setting up the "new user". Alpha5v5 don't even show in the programs list, but the beta does. Both required my license number to be entered again under the new user.

One day when I am bored I might set up the stuff under the "new user".

Thanks,

Phil

[Keith Regan]

RE: Machine name

Phil,
When you ariginally setup your softwaret packages you probably took the option of "this user only". I normally setup using "all users" and then hide what I don't want them to have from the start menu.

Another thing I have go into the habit of doing (on my machines) is loading the machine with everything I need software wise and then creating a backup using either "diskimage or Back Again3" this gives me a clean install of the media so I can in the future reinstall very quickly (normally less than 20 mins).

Keith (the other one)

[PhilD]

RE: Machine name

Keith,

Good ideas. Yes I think I probably took the this user only option.

If I could train myself to keep the disk image or backup updated, thats another wise thing to do.

Thanks,

Phil

[PhilD]

RE: Machine name

I solved the problem with my computer thinking I am "Owner" when I use api_getusername() instead of "Phil DeGruy". To solve the problem under win xp (XP Home and Pro)you have to use a really obscure command from a command prompt. Sort of a backdoor if you ask me.

I thought it would be nice to post this here for others.

Procedure:

Go to a command prompt
Enter control userpasswords2
This command brings up a dialog box showing all user accounts for the computer. I selected "Owner" and changed "Owner" to Phil DeGruy with full admin rights.
Apply the changes, click ok
Reboot the computer for the changes to take affect.

Windows will then convert all the "Owner" settings etc. to the new user account name. and will take a minute or so.

Once windows is finished the conversion, everything works normal and when I use api_getusername()in Alpha I get "Phil DeGruy" and not "Owner"

You can also set an account to log on to XP automatically from the same dialog box and you can set up an account for a standard user, a status between Admin and limited users.

Phil DeGruy